Keep Abreast With the Exports and Exporters in Sri Lanka

‘More Americans looking for Lankan spiced food’ – Dr Rasco

19/06/2013
Daily News

02/01/2017

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s exports history, a renowned global food scientist began on June 11 to extensively train Lankan food exporters on the much needed international regulatory compliance rules. And processed food has grown to become a key component of Sri Lanka’s overall annual food exports.

“In 2012, 26% of total food and beverages exports were processed foods, at $ 73.4 mn. Our overall processed food exports which stood at $ 67.1 mn in 2010 rose to a strong $ 95 mn in 2011,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on June 11 in Colombo. Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the launch event of fist International Food Safety and Compliance Training session by globally renowned Food Scientist Dr. Barbara Rasco, Associate Professor of the Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition of the Washington State University.

Rishad, top Washington scientist start Lanka’s first Food Compliance

19/06/2013
news.lk

02/01/2017

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s exports history, on June 11, a renowned global food scientist began to extensively train Lankan food exporters on the much needed international regulatory compliance rules.

Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka said that processed food has grown to become a key component of Sri Lanka’s overall annual food exports. In 2012, 26% of total food and beverages exports were processed foods, at $ 73.4 Mn. Sri Lanka's overall processed food exports which stood at $ 67.1 Mn in 2010 rose to a strong $ 95 Mn in 2011 added the Minister.

Sri Lanka cinnamon exporters required to adhere to specifications

15/06/2013
Colombo Page News Desk

02/01/2017

Senior Minister for International Monetary Co-operation Dr. Sarath Amunugama has proposed to make it mandatory for Sri Lanka's cinnamon exporters to adhere to the specifications for Sri Lanka standard for exporting of cinnamon.

The proposed measure is aimed at preventing the export of low quality cinnamon and enhancing the production of cinnamon in the country sustaining the livelihood of more than 350,000 families engaged in the industry, the government says.

Sri Lanka, Austria talks on development projects

13/06/2013
Daily News

02/01/2017

The growth of bilateral trade between Sri Lanka and Austria, despite the economic recession in Europe and the steady increase in direct foreign investment from Austria augur well for the future of relations between Sri Lanka and Austria, External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris said.

He said this during a meeting on Tuesday with Austria's Vice Chancellor (Deputy Prime Minster) and European and International Affairs Minister Dr Michael Spindelegge at the Foreign Ministry in Vienna.

The ministers noted that Austrian companies are showing increasing interest in bidding for major infrastructure development projects, while others have already undertaken construction projects in Sri Lanka, including the Greater Colombo sewerage system rehabilitation project.

Sri Lanka Economic Summit from July 9-11

08/06/2013
Daily News

02/01/2017

The 14th annual Sri Lanka Economic Summit which scheduled to be held from July 9-11, 2013 in Colombo will have one of its sessions discussing about Sri Lanka's export strategy.

The Government policy framework has targeted to raise the rate of growth in exports to double that of GDP growth, but exports as a % of GDP have halved from year 2000 to 2012. The share of exports of Sri Lanka as a percentage of world exports has also declined over the years to reach 0.06% by 2011. The basket of merchandise exports from Sri Lanka as well as our exports markets have remained largely unchanged over the last few decades. The foregoing situation and change in the global economic scenario, with Asia gaining ground over the West, require us to rethink our export strategy given the importance of exports to a small economy targeting to achieve sustained high economic growth in the future.

Ayurveda Expo 2013 from July 12-14

26/05/2013

Ayurveda Expo 2013, the international indigenous healthcare exhibition organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) will be held at the BMICH from July 12 -14.

The exhibition is held for the fourth consecutive time in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine, Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Export Development Board.

The objective of the exhibition is to showcase the potential of Sri Lanka's indigenous medical sector and its products and services for the tourism industry.
Ayurveda 2013 Steering Committee Chairman Thilak Godamanna said many Sri Lankan and Indian organisations engaged in indigenous medical product manufacturing and services have already reserved stalls.

He said delegations from Japan, India, Germany, South Africa and China (Shanghai) have confirmed participation in the exhibition.
A Symposium on South Asian Traditional Medicine will be held on July 13 at the same venue, where world-renowned professionals in the sector will make presentations on the latest research findings in the sector.

Sri Lanka launches third ICT survey with PwC

02/01/2017

As ICT exports are projected to top $1Bn this year, Sri Lanka has launched the latest ICT Value Survey to find the national hi-tech exports it achieved in 2013/14-and all the ICT exporters are encouraged to actively take part in it.

“We have recognized the ICT industry to be a key player in our exports. We a looking for $1 billion exports this year” voiced Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (18) in Colombo.

Sri Lankan tea exporters enjoy a great slice of the global tea market.

02/01/2017

The past three years from 2012-2014 saw a renaissance in Ceylon Tea with the year 2013 breaking all records and the 2014 figures just released surpassing even that of 2013, recording the highest ever export earnings of $ 1.61 billion (Rs. 210.2 billion) which is a 5.43 % growth over 2013 and a FOB price of US$ 4.95 per kg, which is a 3.1 % growth over 2013 which were all records for the 147 year old history of the Sri Lankan tea industry.

Apparel exports top US$ 4.3 b upto Nov 2014

02/01/2017

The value of Sri Lanka’s total apparel exports for the first 11 months last year reached US$ 4302.4 million, registering 11% per cent growth. In 2013, Apparel exports had generated US$ 3876 million during the period January to November.

‘Lanka FTA will be very big news back home’–Yunnan Province

02/01/2017

Li Jiming (Deputy Secretary-General of Yunnan Provincial Government and Director General of Yunnan International Exposition Bureau-far right) seen with a part of his delegation to Sri Lanka on 13 January at EDB in Colombo.

As bilateral trade topped $ 3Bn, Sri Lanka’s exports sector is readying one of the strongest ever delegations to this year’s Kunming international expo while Lanka’s second largest global supplier voiced that it is increasingly upbeat on the prospective FTA between both countries-and the $ 190 Bn Yunnan province is keen for a Corporate Agreement with Lanka’s apex export entity, a first, as revealed on 13 January.

Lanka to participate in Japan’s largest jewellery trade show

02/01/2017

Sri Lanka will participate in Japan’s largest international jewellery trade show this month. This event is known as “ IJT international jewellery trade show.”

A wide variety of products in the jewellery industry gathers under one roof, at the world trend-setting city, Tokyo. Sri Lanka could increase the US$ one billion overall export target in 2016, if the local gem/precious stone exports were encouraged and developed targeting international markets. Therefore, participating for international trade shows should help to capture news markets, Director Marketing and Export -National Gem and Jewellery Authority, Rohan Perera said.

Sri Lanka's Cinnamon, the pride among world's spices

02/01/2017

Sri Lanka's Cinnamon, the pride among world's spices

The Government has taken steps to uplift the Cinnamon production in Sri Lanka to target international market. Cinnamon, indigenous to Sri Lanka is the pride among world's spices. Sri Lanka is the world's largest cinnamon producer and accounts for about 70 per cent of the global production, while cinnamon exports from Seychelles have steadily increased. However, cassia a cinnamon like spice obtained from the bark of a plant related to cinnamon is widely traded as a relatively cheap substitute for cinnamon.

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka near to historic trade pact

02/01/2017

As both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka moved closer to their historic trade pact, the process took a new turn as a keen Bangladeshi private sector itself stepping in to accelerate it on 27 November, a rare development in an on-going Lankan trade negotiations-and bilateral trade between both countries has jumped by a strong 67%.

“I will meet our Commerce Minister who is very well meaning and serious, and inform him to expedite the FTA process” said Mahbubur Rahman (President, International Chamber of Commerce of Bangladesh ICCB) on Thursday (27) in Colombo. ICCB President Rahman was addressing Rishad Bathiudeen.

Sri Lankan Agricultural Delegation visit Israel

02/01/2017

SLEDB organized a technical exposure and awareness programme in Israel from 10-15 September 2014, for a group of growers of the Sri Lanka Protected Agriculture Entrepreneurs Association in the Central province, to provide training & awareness on intensive cultivation methods of fresh fruits & vegetables , other protected agriculture systems, efficient management of water resources & soil, open field irrigation methods, post harvest handling, export packaging and marketing.

The programme was conducted with the assistance of the Honorary Consulate of the Israel, The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel, MASHAV (Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation) and CINADCO (Center for International Agricultural Development Cooperation) which is functioning under the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development in Israel.

The need for exporters to register with the EDB stressed

Ceylon Today

02/01/2017

Sri Lanka's apex export entity – EDB, yesterday claimed that some non-registered exporters with no knowledge of procedures have brought a bad reputation for Sri Lanka.

EDB pointed out that, the European Commission Director General of Health and Consumers had recently informed the National Plant Quarantine Services of Sri Lanka that some consignments of fresh fruits and vegetables (only) exported to EU and Switzerland were contaminated with pests, and that of 350 fresh fruits and vegetables (only) consignments that entered the EU from 2011 to date, 292 were contaminated with pests.

EDB starts first ever medical tourism push

Daily News

02/01/2017

“Professional service exports present a tremendous opportunity and can speed up government’s ‘$20B exports by 2020’ goal. Medical Tourism is one of the most promising sub-sectors in this. We are ready to work with any and all stakeholders to get this off the ground” said Director General, EDB, Sujatha Weerakoone addressing the kick-off session of EDB's 2015-20 National Masterplan Initiative on Medical Tourism held at EDB last week.

ICA to host 16th Congress in Sri Lanka

02/01/2017

The International Colored Gem Stones Congress(ICA), the sole global think-tank which serves to benefit the colored gemstone industries have chosen Sri Lanka as its host country for its 16th congress to be held in May 16th - 19th, 2015 in Colombo at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

This is the second time that Sri Lanka will be hosting the prestigious ICA event which prides itself for uniting various segments of the colored gem trade. The theme for the event is `Sapphire and MORE`. A `Facets Congress Gem Show` will also be held from May 15th to 18th at same venue.

Lanka vying for $3B rubber sector

Asian Tribune - 07-09-2014

02/01/2017

Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka–second from right) and HE Azmi Zainuddin (Malaysian High Commissioner to Colombo-second from left) join to inaugurate Global Rubber Conference 2014 (to be held in October in Colombo) on 28 August in Colombo as Dr Abdul Aziz (Secretary General of International Rubber Research & Development Board-far left) and Bandula Egodage (Chairman & CEO-EDB-far right) look on.

As the first ever Global Rubber Confab to be held in Sri Lanka is announced on 28 August, the country positioned its historic rubber industry to be a $ 3B sector. And a top global rubber body voiced that rubber prices would recover ‘before very long’.

“We are now aiming at an ambitious $3B rubber industry in the coming decade. To arrive at this $3B in a viable manner, it is essential for us to support our rubber farmers. I believe it is time for a long term development plan for this sector. The 2013 rubber exports of $960 Mn is a 100% increase compared to rubber exports five years ago” said a keen Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka) on 29 August in Colombo.

Sri Lanka-China FTA deal during Chinese President’s visit next month

Sunday Times - 31-08-2014

02/01/2017

Sri Lanka will be launching its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China making the biggest leap forward in relations between the two countries in more than 60 years, during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the island next month, official sources revealed.

Mr. Xi will be accompanied by a 150-member top level delegation including senior officials, billionaire businessmen industrialists and investors.

The Chinese leader will become the first President to visit Sri Lanka since former leader Li Xiannian in 1986. His visit assumes significance in strengthening ties between the two countries, with China investing heavily in the island nation, the sources said. The joint feasibility study on the FTA has been finalised and negotiations on formulating the agreement including the negative list are underway between officials of the departments of commerce between the two countries, a senior government official told Business Times.